Saturday Happenings

Jazz

NEC's celebration of the 40th anniversary of its landmark jazz studies program culminates tonight in a massive performance featuring saxophonist Wayne Shorter and his new work for quartet and orchestra. A bandleader in his own right, Shorter made his name in the 60s playing for Art Blakey and Miles Davis. Today, his motto is "To hell with the rules. I'm going for the unknown." Follow him, if you can afford it. Featuring Brian Blade, John Patitucci, and Danilo Pérez with the NEC Philharmonia, Hugh Wolff, conductor. Jordan Hall, New England Conservatory, 30 Gainsborough St., 8 p.m. $45 to $65. More information.

Movies

The HFA continues its Ulrike Ottinger retrospective with Freak Orlando, which answers in the affirmative the burning question of whether or not you can make a movie about Virginia Woolfe's Orland and Tod Browning's Freaks at the same time. Harvard Film Archive, Carpenter Center, 24 Quincy St., Cambridge, 7 p.m. $8/$6.

Dancing Gay Hipsters

This is Why They Hate Us is a regular gay dance night for those who like "Ministry, The Misfits, Sisters of Mercy and B0oze!!" Tonight's special because the organizers are offering "double free admission for Furries, Avatars, and ppl in plain clothes!!" The Alchemist, 435 S. Huntington Ave., Jamaica Plain, 10 p.m. Free.